The TA will promote sound environmental management and climate resilient interventions within the context of the GMS ECP. It will aim to reconcile development objectives in the GMS economic corridors with conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services in priority transboundary landscapes and associated biodiversity corridors. The TA will accomplish this by integrating sound environmental management, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience measures in the GMS Economic Cooperation Program (ECP). Specifically, it will support the application of environmental management, planning and monitoring approaches and tools to aid investment decision making; support climate resilience through adaptation planning and low carbon and energy efficient investment strategies; support sustainable financing for conservation; and capacity development to ensure uptake of these measure by appropriate stakeholders including government, civil society and community groups.

The TA will promote sound environmental management and climate resilient interventions within the context of the GMS ECP. It will aim to reconcile development objectives in the GMS economic corridors with conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services in priority transboundary landscapes and associated biodiversity corridors. The TA will accomplish this by integrating sound environmental management, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience measures in the GMS Economic Cooperation Program (ECP). Specifically, it will support the application of environmental management, planning and monitoring approaches and tools to aid investment decision making; support climate resilience through adaptation planning and low carbon and energy efficient investment strategies; support sustainable financing for conservation; and capacity development to ensure uptake of these measure by appropriate stakeholders including government, civil society and community groups.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The TA is consistent with the GMS Regional Cooperation Operations Business Plan (2011-2013), which aims to achieve the vision of an integrated, harmonious and prosperous GMS. Managing the environment and shared natural resources to help ensure sustainable development is one of four strategic pillars of the RCOBP. The TA is also closely aligned with the Strategic Framework for the next phase of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program (2012-2022).

Impact

Improved biodiversity conservation and climate resilience across the GMS

The Core Environment Program (CEP) has delivered major outputs towards achieving its intended outcome of an environment friendly and climate-resilient GMS economic cooperation program to date. Progress made towards its 2016 Design Monitoring Framework outcomes is summarized in brief below (more information available in the CEP website: www.gms-eoc.org)

(i) Supporting development of national environmental policies and strategies. These included Cambodia National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan (NESAP); Laos pollution control strategy and presidential provision on environmental taxation; and Vietnam Environmental Protection Planning (EPP) Circular.

(ii) Supporting the application of sound environment management policies and tools including the launching of Myanmar environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure and environmental quality guidelines following official issuance, applying the CLUMondo land use planning simulation modeling in Cambodia and Lao PDR and industrial pollution projection modeling in Cambodia and Myanmar.

(iii) A transboundary biodiversity landscape (TBL) monitoring and evaluation framework (M&E) jointly developed in March 2016 by members of biodiversity landscape steering committees and national experts from Yunnan, Guangxi, Luang Namtha, and Cao Bang has been applied in both Sino-Viet Karst and Mekong Headwaters TBLs.

(iv) A transboundary conservation plan for Cao Vit Gibbon the only known population in the world between Cao Bang, Vietnam and Guangxi, PRC has been jointly developed and implemented.

(v) The first transboundary wild elephant conservation plan in the GMS has been jointly developed between Yunnan of PRC and Luang Namtha, Oudomxai, and Phongsali of Lao PDR based on joint field study and historical data analysis.

(vi) The integration of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into the Biodiversity Conservation Corridors (BCC) Project has progressed well. Sixteen development officers from BCC projects in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam have been participating in a six-month modular training program on Community Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation (CVAA) to Climate Change.

(vii) Fuel efficient technologies, eco-driver training and improved logistics measures have been successfully tested in Lao PDR and Viet Nam, and are underway in Thailand.

(viii) A CEP Strategic Framework 2018 2022 has been endorsed by all WGE members following extensive national and subregional consultations. This strategic framework aims to operationalize CEP core functions which include: facilitating regional cooperation and the management of shared natural capital; providing information and knowledge management support; providing in-country policy advice and technical support; and providing financial and investment services to the GMS countries.

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Environmental planning systems, methods and safeguards improved

Management of transboundary biodiversity conservation lanscapes and local livelihoods improved

(ii) The GMS Land Use Change Modeling Network promoted the CEP-developed CLUMondo software in the subregion through training and awareness raising events, and began applying it in case studies in Cambodia and Lao PDR. Self-teaching manuals for the software were produced in seven languages.

(iii) Cambodia's NESAP was completed and is now going through government approval processes. The NESAP is Cambodia's first major national environmental strategy in over a decade.

(iv) A scoping study report on national pollution control policies and legal mechanisms in Lao PDR was prepared as a key input for a national pollution control strategy that CEP will support in 2017.

(v) A position paper was produced to inform the development of Viet Nam's Environmental Protection Planning Circular.

(vi) In Lao PDR, a Presidential Provision on Environmental User Fees for Wastewater Discharges was drafted.

(vii) Myanmar's new EIA Procedure and Environment Quality Emission Guidelines were launched in January and provincial and national trainings were delivered.

(viii) In Cambodia, CEP delivered two provincial EIA training activities for government officials.

(ix) CEP provided inputs to regional guidelines on public participation in EIA and various to ADB safeguards-related work throughout the year.

(x) Industrial pollution modeling analyses were completed in Cambodia and Myanmar and included recommendations for future pollution control.

(xi) A GMS Information Portal was launched online with new and updated indicators, GIS data, and other resources.

Component 2 on Transbondary Biodiversity Landscapes (TBL) Management:

(i) An MOU was drafted in May and the bilateral meeting was held in October between the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection (GDANCP) of Cambodia's MoE and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Protection (DNP) of Thailand's MNRE. It focuses on collaborative management of transboundary areas in the Cardamom and Elephant Mountains transboundary biodiversity landscape.

(ii) A CEP-led Review on Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) Monitoring and Evaluation for Viet Nam was endorsed by the government in March 2016. A PFES M&E Framework and Guideline are presently being developed and tested with selected indicators, tools and elements in Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam Provinces of Viet Nam.

(iii) Biodiversity assessments and landscape profiles were successfully carried out in Cao Bang of Viet Nam, and Guangxi and Yunnan of PRC. The results have been used as the bases for developing management strategies and action plans of respective landscape components and target TBLs.

(iv) Technical supports were provided to Cao Bang (VN), Guangxi, Yunnan (PRC) and Luang Namtha (Lao PDR) TBL Steering Committees to develop and improve Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plans (BSAPs) in May to August 2016. The first draft of Cao Bang BSAPs was formulated and submitted to provincial authorities for review in October 2016.

(v) Two films were produced on Xishuangbanna's experience with biodiversity conservation corridors.

(vi) A field survey of wild elephants' habitat and migration routes in Mekong Headwaters TBL was jointly conducted by Yunnan and three Northern provinces of Lao PDR. The results were used as the basis for developing the TBL wild elephants conservation plan.

(vii) The 2nd bilateral meeting of Co-management Committee of Guangxi, PRC and Cao Bang, Viet Nam was held in January to finalize a transboundary conservation action plan for 2016 2020.

(viii) A regional knowledge event on _Transboundary Biodiversity Conservation Landscape Management in GMS_ was co-organized with Ministry of Environment Protection, PRC in Nanning, Guangxi in November.

(ix) Technical Guidelines on Habitat Restoration in Karst Area were developed by Cao Bang DONRE and Guangxi Environmental Protection Department (GEPD) based on lessons learned and good practices emerging from the implementation of CEP funded habitat restoration and seed capital/community development fund for biodiversity conservation.

(x) Ecosystem-based Assessment Guidelines was developed and used by GEPD in Jingxi county to assess ecosystem and ecosystem services in the TBL.

Component 3 on Climate Change.

Climate Change Adaptation

(i) Three Climate Change Adaptation Roundtable events were held and Guidelines for Watershed-scale Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments were drafted with roundtable partners.

(ii) A modular training program on Community Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation to Climate Change was commenced, targeted planners and development practitioners involved in the BCC project.

(iii) A CEP knowledge product on climate risk financing for rural communities has been developed and is in the ADB Track 2 publishing process.

(iv) Ecosystem-based Assessment guidelines were developed and implemented in Sino-Viet Nam Karst TBL.

(vi) Two regional knowledge sharing workshops on Green Freight and Logistics (GFL) in Southeast Asia were co-organized with partners in June 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand and in August 2016 in Busan, Republic of Korea. Results of GFI in Laos and Viet Nam and policy recommendations were presented at both workshops.

(vii) Five knowledge briefs on GFI were developed and disseminated widely through the two regional workshops and CEP's online platforms.

Component 4: Institutional Development and Financing.

(i) Program management firm NIRAS Finland Oy has been procured to take over CEP management and EOC operations since May 2016.

(ii) The 22nd Annual Meeting of the WGE (WGE AM-22) was successfully conducted in July 2016.

(iii) The WGEs' endorsed CEP Strategic Framework 2018 2022 was presented to and noted by the GMS Ministerial Conference in December 2016.

(iv) The CEP 2015 Annual Report and CEP 2016 Semi-annual Report were produced and disseminated.

(v) CEP organized or co-organized 46 knowledge events, involving more than 2730 participants from the GMS.

(vi) The GMS Information Portal platform was finalized and launched in April 2016.

(vii) The CEP website was re-designed and updated with regular news, event, and activity contents.

(ix) A film showcasing biodiversity conservation efforts in Xishuangbanna launched in October 2016 and is now available on CEP Website and GMS Information Portal.

(x) The Myanmar NSU is now fully operational with an office and key staff in position at the Department of Environment Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC).

(xi) A Thailand CEP Steering Committee was established to oversee and provide direction to CEP activities in Thailand and cooperation with other GMS countries under the CEP framework.

(xii) The 23rd Annual Meeting of the WGE (WGE AM-22) was successfully conducted in July 2017.

Cross-cutting issues. Social inclusiveness and poverty reduction have been addressed across CEP technical support interventions as follows:

(i) CEP technical support on safeguard strengthening utilizes a range of planning and safeguard tools to promote the consideration of environmental and social issues across sectors;

(ii) CEP technical support on biodiversity landscape management has a strong focus on pro-poor and social inclusion activities for biodiversity conservation as a means of protecting and restoring ecosystem services. CEP's support for sustainable rural livelihoods in these landscapes include particular emphasis on vulnerable upland communities and ethnic minorities in Cao Bang, Jingxi, Dagin and Xishuangbanna; and

(iii) CEP is developing initiatives with the ADB-funded BCC projects in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam that will lead to the integration of climate change considerations into BCC management strategies. These would benefit rural communities in the project areas through the implementation of climate resilient Infrastructure, climate smart farming practices and sustainable use of ecosystem-based services.

Geographical Location

Regional

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

During the 2nd Environment Ministers' Meeting (EMM) held in Vientiane, Lao PDR in 2008, the GMS Governments acknowledged the useful contribution by the Core Environment Program-Biodiversity Conservation Initiative (CEP-BCI) towards the overall Economic Cooperation Program and requested ADB to begin preparation of a follow-on phase for endorsement at the 3rd EMM. This was reiterated by the Working Group on Environment (WGE) at their fourth semi-annual meeting in Bangkok in November 2009. Accordingly, commencing in January 2010, ADB supported the WGE and its technical secretariat, the Environment Operations Center (EOC) to prepare the second phase of CEP-BCI. Preparation involved several rounds of country-level and regional consultations which culminated in July 2011 with an in-principle endorsement of the Project Framework Document for CEP-BCI (2012-2016) at the third EMM.

During Project Implementation

The Mid-term Review (MTR) conducted in early 2015 solicited involvement of key stakeholders at national and subregional levels to assess the CEP relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability. The MTR findings and recommendations have been used as the bases for project intervention improvements. The project implementation duration has been extended to end of 2017 as recommended by the MTR and approved by WGE and co-financiers.

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

The TA will require the services of international consultants (up to 175 person-months), national consultants (up to 751 person-months) and GMS country specialists deputed to the EOC (up to 47 person-months). International consultants staffing the EOC will be engaged as individuals and other international consultants for program implementation will be hired as individuals or through a firm in accordance with the Guidelines for the Use of Consultants by the Asian Development Bank and Its Borrowers and other arrangements satisfactory to ADB. The engagement of domestic consultants will be delegated to the EOC in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to ADB.

Procurement

Equipment for the EOC and the NSU will be procured by ADB according to ADBs Guidelines for Procurement.

Responsible ADB Officer

Ramachandran, Pavit

Responsible ADB Department

Southeast Asia Department

Responsible ADB Division

Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture Division, SERD

Executing Agencies

Asian Development Bank6 ADB Avenue,Mandaluyong City 1550, Philippines

Timetable

Concept Clearance

22 Sep 2011

Fact Finding

26 Sep 2011
to 30 Sep 2011

MRM

-

Approval

12 Dec 2011

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

29 Sep 2017

TA 7987-REG

Milestones

Approval

Signing Date

Effectivity Date

Closing

Original

Revised

Actual

12 Dec 2011

-

12 Dec 2011

31 Dec 2015

30 Jun 2018

-

Financing Plan/TA Utilization

Cumulative Disbursements

ADB

Cofinancing

Counterpart

Total

Date

Amount

Gov

Beneficiaries

Project Sponsor

Others

800,000.00

28,517,431.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

29,317,431.00

12 Dec 2011

17,211,449.80

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